SFCFIL creates a new GEMPAK surface file.


INPUT PARAMETERS
 
    SFOUTF    *Output surface file
    SFPRMF    *Surface parameter packing file
    STNFIL    *Station information file
    SHIPFL    *Ship data file flag
    TIMSTN    *Times/additional stations
 
 
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
 
    SFCFIL creates a GEMPAK surface file.  The file may be a
    standard file or a ship format file.

    If SHIPFL is set to YES, a ship format file is created.  In
    this case, both station location and time are stored with
    each data entry.  This capability is useful when the station
    location varies in time, such as for moving ships, aircraft
    or free-floating buoys.

    If a standard file is to be created, the maximum number of
    times to be included in the file must be entered as the first
    value in TIMSTN.  If a ship format file is being created, the
    maximum number of entries in the file is given by the first
    value in TIMSTN.

    If STNFIL is not blank, information about all the stations in
    STNFIL will be added to the data set.  Space will be left in the
    file for the additional number of stations specified as the
    second parameter in TIMSTN.  Note that an error will result if
    STNFIL is blank and TIMSTN does not request more stations.

    SFPRMF contains information about the parameters to be included
    in the file.  SFPRMF may be either a list of parameters or the
    name of a packing file.  If a list is entered, the parameters
    must be separated with semicolons; packing information may also
    be included after a slash with the minimum and maximum values
    and the resolution separated by dashes.  For example, to
    include temperature and dewpoint in a file without packing,
    SFPRMF may be entered as :

               SFPRMF = TMPC;DWPC

    To pack the data, use:

               SFPRMF = TMPC/-127-63-.1;DWPC/-63-63-.1

    SFPRMF may also contain the name of a packing file.  A packing
    file for data which is not to be packed contains a list of
    parameters with one parameter per line.  In a file for packed
    data, each line must include the parameter name, the minimum
    and maximum data values and the resolution, all separated with
    spaces.  The default packing file for surface data is
    GEMTABL:SF51.TBL.

 
EXAMPLES
 
    1.  Create a surface file called SURF.DAT with a maximum of 15
        times using the default station and parameter files.  Leave
        room in the file for 100 stations in addition to the
        stations in STNFIL.  Use the GEMPAK standard packing file
        and table file.

        SFOUTF  =  surf.dat
        SFPRMF  =  gemtabl:sf51.tbl
        STNFIL  =  gemtabl:stations.tbl
        SHIPFL  =  no
        TIMSTN  =  15/100

    2.  Create a ship format file which can contain a maximum of
        1000 ship reports.  Use a locally developed parameter file
        named SHIP.PRM for packing.

        SFOUTF  =  ship.dat
        SFPRMF  =  ship.prm
        STNFIL  =
        SHIPFL  =  yes
        TIMSTN  =  1000


ERROR MESSAGES
 
    [SFCFIL  +2]    WARNING! ADDSTN was negative -- set to 0.
    [SFCFIL  +1]    Cannot add stn to a ship file; STNFIL ignored.
    [SFCFIL  -1]    Fatal error initializing TAE.
    [SFCFIL  -2]    Fatal error reading TAE parameters.
    [SFCFIL  -3]    Error opening station file ... .
    [SFCFIL  -4]    File does not include room for any stations.
    [SFCFIL  -5]    File does not include room for any times.
    [SFCFIL  -6]    SFPRMF is incorrectly specified.
    [SFCFIL  -7]    The output file name is blank.